My dad wanted me to be a footballer – Abbas Sadiq

How did your childhood influence your love for acting? Abbas Sadiq: I was born in Kabalan Doki, Kaduna, but my parents later relocated to Jos, because my late father was a staff of the NTA, Jos. I had both my primary and secondary school education at St. Theresa’s School and went on to the University […]

How did your childhood influence your love for acting?
Abbas Sadiq: I was born in Kabalan Doki, Kaduna, but my parents later relocated to Jos, because my late father was a staff of the NTA, Jos. I had both my primary and secondary school education at St. Theresa’s School and went on to the University of Jos where I bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1998.  I began acting when I was six. My dad always took me to their studio. And whenever the need to cast wards arose, I was on hand to fit in. This gave me the chance to feature in several NTA dramas. After sometime, he introduced me to his friends like Waziru Zayyanu and Bilya Keffi, some of the pioneers of home video movies in this part of the country. I will not forget dramas like ‘Kar’uzuna Bodara,’ ‘Kwaskwaro’ and ‘The man behind the masks,’ were all shot before me. But prior to all these, my dad had wanted me to become a footballer, so much so that he enrolled me into Greater Tomorrow Soccer Academy, Jos, which is the same school attended by Mikel Obi. His ambition had to be shelved after I fractured my left hand twice. But I always remember how he would sit down and watch my movies and offer suggestions on how I could enhance my output. To me that was indirectly giving me the consent to continue with the endeavour.
As I grew older, I started acting with English movies which include: ‘Eva,’ ‘Amina,’ ‘Eleventh Hour’ and ‘Our Life’ in which I was cast alongside Jim Iyke, as we were then both students of University of Jos. That’s how we became friends and have remained so till date.
How did you come about acting Hausa movies?
Sadiq: It was borne out of patriotism. In acting English movies, we realised that our message does not often get to our target audience.In order to ensure we know how their needs are changing, we had to adapt, whilst bearing in mind that majority of them are from the northern part of this country. That was how I decided to switch to Hausa movies, which uses my native language as its medium of communication.
As an actor in Kannywood, what are some of the challenges you encounter?
Sadiq: The challenges are too numerous to mention. And whichever challenge stands my way I commit to prayers and do my best to overcome it. After successfully addressing it, I accept it as lesson and move on. This has been my principle and it has always worked for me.
How can you rate the Kannywood industry despite the various criticisms it receives?
Sadiq: For me, Kannywood is synonymous with Nollywood because we are all Nigerians. Thus, we are one entity which is geared towards the national interest and speaks with the same voice. The only difference is the means of communication to the targeted audience in each location.
Kannywood is trying its very best to reach even the level that it will be compared to Bollywood and I believe one day we will get to that stage. People in the industry are enriching themselves and even now going abroad for training in filmmaking and other areas and then return to put that knowledge to practise here. The standards will improve and with the right support, we will get there, God willing.
Asides acting, what other things do you do?
Sadiq: I am a costumier, being a brand ambassador for some years now. Besides, I work on part-time basis with a non-governmental establishment, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).  I also do some sundry businesses. And these are the reasons I’m not regularly featuring in Hausa movies as I used to before.
What was the first Hausa movie you featured in?
Sadiq: ‘Tirna,’ which is about societal and ethical values. It was produced in 2000 by Hajiya Halima Abdullahi and directed by Alhaji Ibrahim Dan Jos. I wasn’t initially set to be the lead character of the movie, but when they brought the script to me and I read it, I became so interested in playing the role of the lead character and that is how I got the role.
What is the difference and experience acting in Hausa and Nollywood films?
Sadiq: Dress code is a major one. In Hausa films ladies are not allowed to expose their bodies. They must cover their bodies in accordance with Islamic injunction and if their roles demand Western or historical costumes, that should be convincing and if not, the Kano State Censors Board will not certify it to be released to the public. Also, men are not allowed to touch ladies except under situations where the gentleman is assisting her. For instance, a male doctor treating or examining a female patient. The same applies when the lady is blind, old or she needs to be rescued and other such scenarios. Again, in Hausa films music is given special attention and treatment for purpose of commercial value. I think these are the three major differences in both industries.
What projects are you working on at the moment?
Sadiq: I am working on a movie, ‘Dan Baba’ and a music album, ‘Dandalin Arewa,’ which I intend to release before the end of the year.
Who is the person you look forward to act with?
Sadiq: I look forward to act with every good actor that I can learn from. Anyone who is more successful than I am from Hollywood, Nollywood and even Kannywood; I don’t have a particular actor in mind.
What role do you look forward to play?
Sadiq: I look forward to play good roles that promote me positively, both lead and supporting roles.
What kind of role would you not play?
Sadiq: I would never play a role where I would be gay.
Where do you see yourself in another few years?
Sadiq: I see myself as a feature promoter and marketer; a filmmaker in the business; as an ambassador of peace in our nation, to leave good examples as legacies.
Is it more profitable to be a brand ambassador?
Sadiq: Yes it is more profitable to be a brand ambassador. To represent a brand means an artiste has gone to the next level, which is beyond acting. The greatest achievement in acting, showbiz, games, is to be called upon to a sign contract to represent a product or brand. Such opportunities give the artiste the ability to own property and save for the future. Again, the actor or player is more promoted.
Is this because Kannywood actors are not well-paid?
Sadiq: Kannywood is an upcoming, yet fast rising industry. The pay isn’t as attractive as that of Nollywood.
What are you paid as an ambassador?
Sadiq: (Laughter) I won’t say that to the media.
What are your most treasured experiences from the entertainment Industry?
Sadiq: It was the beginning of my stardom. That was after I released the second movie I produced and directed, ‘Albashi,’ in 2004. It was then that I became a celebrity; producers began to cast me in their future films. Then I was called upon to be MTN ambassador for her Northern TV programme, ‘Dandalin Tashi Mu Taimake Ka Na MTN’ (‘MTN empowering promo’). This was since 2007. Today I am an anchor person with several awards and honours.